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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 8 · Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations · 24 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 8 · Chapter 1: The Manus, Administrators of the Universe
8.1.178.1.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.1.18

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.1.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तांस्तथावसितान् वीक्ष्य यज्ञ: सर्वगतो हरि: ।

यामै: परिवृतो देवैर्हत्वाशासत् त्रिविष्टपम् ॥ १८ ॥

tāṁs tathāvasitān vīkṣya

yajñaḥ sarva-gato hariḥ

yāmaiḥ parivṛto devair

hatvāśāsat tri-viṣṭapam

Translation

The Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu, who sits in everyone’s heart, appearing as Yajñapati, observed that the Rākṣasas and demons were going to devour Svāyambhuva Manu. Thus the Lord, accompanied by His sons named the Yāmas and by all the other demigods, killed the demons and Rākṣasas. He then took the post of Indra and began to rule the heavenly kingdom.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Protects Manu and Rules

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu, sits in everyone’s heart. Appearing as Yajñapati, He saw that the demons and Rākṣasas intended to devour Svāyambhuva Manu.

  2. 2

    Accompanied by His sons, the Yāmas, and the other demigods, the Lord killed the attackers. He then took the post of Indra and ruled the heavenly kingdom.

  3. 3

    Names such as Brahmā, Śiva and Indra designate posts rather than personal names. Lord Viṣṇu sometimes becomes Brahmā or Indra when no suitable person is available.

Key points from the purport
  • The various names of the demigods — Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, Lord Indra and so on — are not personal names; they are names of different posts.
  • In this regard, we understand that Lord Viṣṇu sometimes becomes Brahmā or Indra when there is no suitable person to occupy these posts.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Helplessness → Surrender and rescue. A mighty animal finally realizes the limits of strength.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 8: Gajendra's struggle and prayers. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 1: The Manus, Administrators of the Universe

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Rākṣasas and asuras then attempted to devour him, but Yajña, accompanied by his sons the Yāmas and the demigods, killed them. Then Yajña personally took the post of Indra, the King of the heavenly planets.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.1
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tānthe demons and Rākṣasas
  2. tathāin that way
  3. avasitānwho were determined to devour Svāyambhuva Manu
  4. vīkṣyaupon observing
  5. yajñaḥLord Viṣṇu, known as Yajña
  6. sarva-gataḥwho is seated in everyone’s heart
  7. hariḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  8. yāmaiḥwith His sons named the Yāmas
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 8.1

    In this verse: “kingdom”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does knowing that the Supreme Lord sits in everyone’s heart shape my remembrance of Him?

Practice

Pause today to remember Lord Viṣṇu’s presence in your heart and His protection of Manu.

Live this todayThe Lord Protects Manu and RulesThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

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